Kenneth Thomas joined Somerset Constabulary in 1948, and rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent before taking control of the Weston division in 1969.

It was a position the Newport-born family man held until his retirement in 1978.

Upon retiring from the police, Kenneth moved to Cyprus with his wife Iris, and spent six years on the Mediterranean island working for the Ministry of Defence.

The keen golfer and gardener returned to Weston when he gave up working, and spent much of his retirement enjoying the company of his family, including sons Gary and Kevin, grandsons Darren, Lee, Bryn and David, and great-granddaughters Catherine, Harriet and Freda.

Kenneth died in Weston General Hospital on August 9, and his funeral service was held on Wednesday at Our Lady Of Lourdes Church in Baytree Road, Weston.

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The family of a 14-year-old girl who was stamped on, kicked in the head and repeatedly punched in a three-and-a-half hour assault in a Weston-super-Mare park have hit out at the sentences given to her four teenage attackers.

The family of a 14-year-old girl who was stamped on, kicked in the head and repeatedly punched in a three-and-a-half hour assault in a Weston-super-Mare park have hit out at the sentences given to her four teenage attackers.